Compressor-unloading mechanism



Dec. 16, 1924. 1,519,996

w. H. WlNEMAN COMPRESSOR UNLOADING MECHANISM Filed Jan, 10, 192

Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFHQE.

WADE H. WINEMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 SULLIVAN llIACHINERY COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

COMPRESSOR-UNLOADING MECHANISM.

Application filed January 10, 1921.

To all about it may concern:

Be it known that I, WADE H. lV'iNnnAN, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressor-Unloading Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear and exact specification.

My invention relates to compressor unloading mechanism.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved con'ipressor unloading mechanism. Another object of my invention is to provide a. very simple and improved controlling mechanism for unloading mechanism of the intake type. Other objects of my invention will appear in the course of the accompanying description.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration, one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the low pressure cylinder of a compressor in connection with which the illustrative form of my improved mechanism is employed, showing the receiver and the pipe connections.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken on a plane parallel to the axis of the low presure cylinder, of my improved control ling mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one possible form of intake unloader and its actuating mechanism which may be used with my improved controlling mechanism.

In these drawings I have disclosed the illustrative form of my improved controlling mechanism used-tor the controlling of an intake unloading mechanism generally indicated by 1 and controlling the supply of air to the low pressure cylinder 2 of a compound horizontal compressor generally indicated by The low pressure cylinder 2 is provided with mechanically actuated intake valves having stems at adapted to be oscillated by arms 5 connected together by a link rod 6 for simultaneous movement in opposite directions, said valves being rocked by means of an elongated arm 7 forming an extension on the opposite side of one of the stems 4; ot the forward arm 6. and oscillated by any Serial No. 436,217.

suitable rod 8, here an eccentric rod driven from the usual crank shaft (not shown). Air is supplied to the low pressure cylinder through an intake 10 under control of the intake unloading mechanism 1. The latter comprises an intake controlling valve 12 adapted when closed to seat upon a seat 13 formed in the casing 1%, which casing is connected by a. flanged connection 15 to the inlet valve chambers of the low pressure cylinder. The valve 12 is adapted to be depressed by the supply ot air from the re ceiver 16 under the control of my improved mechanism hereinafter described, to the eviinder 17 in which a piston 18, directly connected to the valve stem 19 ot the valve 12. is reciprocable. The piston 18 is depressed. thereby closing the valve 12, when air is ad mitted by way of a pipe 17 to the cylinder 17 and upon release of the air from this cylinder, springs indicated at 20 cause the raising of the intake valve and the reloading of the compressor.

My improved controlling means for the intake unloading mechanism is generally designated 21 and comprises a valve adapted to place the cylinder 17 in communication, by way of a connection 17. with, a connection 23 from the receiver or to connect it with. an atmospheric vent 2 whereby the compressor may be loaded or unloaded. This valve. is mechanically controlled by means of a reciprocating member 25 to which a reciprocating motion is imparted by a bell crank 26 one of whose arms connected by a forked connection to the member and whose other arm is connected by a link 27 to the pivot 27 at the outer end of one of the arms 5. It will be noted that as the arms 5 rock about the axes of the valve stems i, an up and down movement will be imparted to the link 27 and this will be transformed into a horizontal reciprocatory movement of the member 25 by the bell crank 26. The member 2 5 is guided in its reciprocatory movement by a guide member 8 slidable in a suitable bore 29, and loose motion is prevented by a spring 30 housed in the bore 31 in the member L8. The valve 22 is adapted to be actuated in one direction by a plunger 32 whose movement to the left in Fig. 2 serves to compress a spring 33 housed in a bore 34: in the valve 22 and, upon sufficient compression of said spring, to force the valve 22 to the seat 35, closing communication between the connection 23 and the connection 17' to the cylinder 17 while opening a communication between pipe 1'? and atmospheric vent 2i. Cooperating with the plunger 32 is a vertically movable trigger member 36 adapted when in its bottom position to slip in behind an annular collar 37 on the stem 32 and retain the valve upon its seat by reason of the compression of the spring hen, however, the trigger member 36 is raised, it releases the collar a sufiicient amount to relieve the pressure upon the spring 33 in such manner as to permit the unseating ot' the valve 22. In order, however, to prevent the parts getting entirely out of adjustment, the trigger member 36 never entirely releases the collar 37 but instead is provided with a cut-away portion 38 in which the collar can seat when the trigger member is in upper position. For the purpose of releasing the trigger member, a bell crank 39 pivoted on a fixed pivot 40 is arranged with a substantially horizontal arm 41-1 extending through an opening 4C2 in the trigger member. A spring 43 extending between the outer end of this arm and a fixed portion of the controlling member 21 tends to always force the trigger member 36 into its lowermost posit-ion. For the purpose of raising the arm 41, and so the trigger member, a substantially vertical arm 14: of the bell crank is provided with an adjustable member which is contacted at suitable times by a member &6 which alternately serves to abut the plunger 32 and the abutment member 45 to close the valve and permit its reopening, which act-ion is caused by rcci n'ocation of the member The member 46 is slidable in vertical guides 47 ar ranged on the reciprocating member 25 and its movement in these guides is controlled by Bourdon tube 43 which, through a usual pinion and sector mechanism 49, causes oscillation of the lever 50, which is connected by a link 51 to the abutment member 46. Pressure is supplied through a separate line .32 from the receiver to the Bourdon tube 48, by way of a passage formed in the pedestal of the Bourdon tube. It will be understood that by the use of a mechanism such as has just been described, very accurate adjustment of the pressure at which loading and unloading will take place may be secured, this being possible by reason of the accuracy of the Bourdon tube and by the adj ustability of the connection shown at 54: between the tube and the sector and pinion mechanism. It will be understood that when the pressure reaches a point where it is desired to unload. the Bourdon tube, in respouse to the pressure, will have straightened out to a sufficient degree to cause the lever 50 to raise the abutment member 16 sufficiently to contact with the fixed abutment member 45 and that, when this occurs, the trigger member 35 will be raised and will permit unseating of the valve 22 with the resultant supply of pressure through the connection 23 and pipe 17 to the cylinder 17 whereby the intake valve 12 will be closed. As the pressure in the receiver falls due to the use of compressed air for any purpose, the Bourdon tube will tend to contract and will cause progressive downward movement of the abutment member 46 and at the desired pressure for reloading the compressor, the abutment member 46 will have moved downward sufficiently to impinge the stem 32 and thereby cause the compression or the spring 33 and the reseatlng of the valve 22. hen this occurs, recelver pressure will no longer be supplied to the cylinder 17 and the exhaust connection will be open through a groove 22 in the valve and the passage 241E leading from the valve chamber to the atmosphere. The trigger member 36 will retain the valve in closed position. As receiver pressure again builds up, the member 6L6 will move upward until at the desired upper pressure limit, the compressor will again be unloaded.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that I have devised a relatively simple and very positive mechanism for controlling the movements of an intake unloader mechanism. By reason of the wellknown accuracy of adjustment of pressure responsive devices of the Bourdon tube type, I can obviously secure a very accurate calibration of the device for desired pressures. It will further be obvious that by adjusting the abutment member 45, I can decrease the range of pressure variation between loading and unloading conditions or increase it, as may be requisite, the position shown in Fig. 2 being that for a relatively large pressure variation between loading and unloading. To bring the mechanism into proper adjustment for the desired receiver pressure after lowering the abutment member 45, it is obviously readily possible to adjust the member 5st in such manner as to bring unloading at the same pressure as before adjustment, and when this is done the pressure at which reloading will occur will be somewhat higher than before the adjustment of the mechanism. It will be understood that this mechanism may easily be adapted to use with an inlet valve unloader mechanism, the usual operating pistons being provided for the valves, and a different connection arranged to actuate the member 25.

lVhile I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

I. In combination, in a compressor controlling mechanism, compressor unloading means, power actuating means therefor for causing the same to load and to unload the compressor, and means for controlling the actuation of said unloading means by said actuating means comprising a Bourdon tube subject to compressor discharge pressure.

2. In combination, in a compressor controlling mechanism, means operative on predetermined movement to effect unloading of a compressor, means for positively el fecting such movement of said first mentioned means, and controlling means for said second mentioned means comprising a Bourdon tube subject to compressor discharge pressure.

3. In combination, in a compressor controlling mechanism, a compressor unloading means, actuating means therefor, means dependent upon the running of the compressor for controlling said actuating, means and controlling means for said last mentioned means including a Bourdon tube subjected to compressor discharge pressure.

4:- In combination, in a compressor controlling mechanism, a compressor unloading means, fluid pressure actuating means therefor, and fluid pressure responsive means comprising a Bourdon tube subjected to compressor discharge pressure for controlling said fluid pressure actuating means.

5. In combination, in a compressor controlling mechanism, compressor unloading mechanism, fluid pressure actuating means therefor, control means for said actuating means adapted to be mechanically actuated, and fluid pressure responsive means comprising a Bourdon tube subject to compressor discharge pressure and controlling the actuation of said control means.

(i. In combination, a compressor, a receiver receiving the discharge from said compressor, unloading means for said compressor, fluid pressure controlling means for said unloading means, receiver pressure responsive means for controlling said controlling means, and separate connections leading from said receiver to said fluid pres sure controlling means and to said receiver pressure responsive means.

7. In combination, a compressor, a dis charge line to which said compressor discharges, unloading means for said compressor, compressor discharge pressure operated actuating means for said unloading means, compressor discharge pressure governed controlling means for said actuating means, and separate connections leading from said discharge line to said actuating means and to said controlling means.

8. In combination, with a compressor, a compressor controlling mechanism comprising an operating element active during the running of the compressor, means operable thereby for effecting loading and unloading of the compressor, and a member controlled by compressor discharge pressure and controlling the operation of said means by said element.

9. In combination with a compressor, a compressor controlling mechanism comprising a member periodically moved in a predetermined direction during the running of the compressor, a second member adapted when moved in said predeterminml direction to effect loading of said con'ipressor, and a member controlled by compressor discharge pressure and controlling the movement of said second mentioned member by said first mentioned member.

10. In combination with a compressor, compressor controlling mechanism comprising a member periodically moving in a predetermined direction during the running of the compressor, a member adapted when moved in said direction to effect unloading of said compressor, and a member controlled by compressor discharge pressure and controlling the movement of said second mentioned member by said first mentioned member.

11. In combination With a compressor, a compressor controlling mechanism, a member periodically traversing a predetermined cycle during the running of the compressor. the cycle of said first mentioned member comprising an active and an idle movement, a member adapted when moved to efl'ect loading of said compressor, and a member controlled by compressor discharge pres sure and operative to control the movement of said second mentioned member by said first mentioned member during the active portion of its cycle.

12. In combination with a compressor and unloading means therefor, a plurality of elements operative respectively upon actuation to effect loading and unloading of said compressor, and compressor discharge pressure controlled means for selectively actuating said elements.

13. In combination with a compressor and unloading means therefor, a plurality of elements operative on actuation one to efl ect loading and another to effect unloading of said compressor, a single actuating member for said elements, and compressor discharge pressure controlled means for selectively controlling the actuation oi said elements by said member.

1-1.. In combination with a compressor and unloading means therefor. a pair of elements operative on actuation one to efiect loading and the other to effect unloading of said compressor, mechanical actuating means for said elements operative during running of member mechanically moved in opposite directions by a moving part of said compressor during the operation of the latter, a member carried thereby and movable in a direction transverse to the path of movement thereof, means responsive to compressor discharge pressure for moving said second-mentioned member to different positions, and means adapted to be actuated by said second mentioned means at different positions thereof to cause unloading of said compressor and its reloading.

16. In combination with a compressor, a member mechanically moved in opposite directions by a moving part of said compressor during the operation of the latter, a member carried thereby and movable in a direction transverse to the path of movement thereof, means comprising a Bourdon tube responsive to compressor discharge pressure for moving said second mentioned member to different positions, and means adapted to be actuated by said second mentioned member at different positions thereof to cause unloading of said compressor and its reloading.

17. In combination with a compressor provided with means for unloading the same upon supply of fluid pressure thereto and for reloading the same upon release of said fluid pressure so supplied, means for controlling said means comprising a valve adapted when in opposite positions respectively to supply and to release the fluid pressure supplied to said means, and means for controlling said valve including a plurality of members one of which when actuated is adapted to movesaid valve to one of its positions, automatic means for retaining said member in said last mentioned position, means for releasing said retaining means adapted for actuation by the actuation of the other of said members, and means selectively operative to actuate said members and controlled by compressor discharge; pressure.

18. In combination with a compressor provided with means for unloading the same upon supply of fluid pressure thereto and for unloading the same upon release of said fluid pressure so supplied, means for controlling said means comprising a valve adapted when in opposite positions respectively to supply and to release the fluid pressure supplied to said means, and means for controlling said valve including a plurality of members one of which when actuated is adapted to move said valve to one of its positions, automatic means for retaining said member in said last mentioned position, means for releasing said retaining means adapted for actuation by the actuation of the other said members, means operative when in opposite positions to'actuate said members, means responsive to compressor discharge pressure to move said last men tioned means to its opposite position, and means actuated from a moving part of said compressor for imparting movement to said member actuating means.

19. In combination, in a compressor controlling means, compressor unloading and loading means, power means for causing the same to load a compressor, and means for controlling the actuation of said unloading and loading means, by said power means comprising a Bourdon tube subject to compressor discharge pressure.

20. In combination, a compressor and means for controlling the loading and unloading thereof including means controlled by compressor discharge pressure, cooperating means active during the running of the compressor, and means controlled by the coaction of said second and third mentioned means and controlling the loading and unloading of the compressor.

21. In combination, a compressor and means for controlling the operation thereof including a member movable in a fixed path, a member movable in an angularly disposed path as a result of compressor discharge pressure variations, and means whose actuation is controlled by the relative positions of said members for controlling the operation of said compressor.

22. In a compressor controlling mechanism, a pilot valve operative on movement to various positions to control the loading and unloading of the compressor and having a surface upon which compressor dis charge pressure acts in one direction, an element adapted to move the same to one of said positions and deriving its actuating force from a source independent of the compressor discharge pressure, said valve moving against compressor discharge pressure during movement to said last mentioned position, and compressor discharge pressure controlled means controlling the movement of said valve by said element.

23. In a compressor controlling mechanism, a pilot valve operative in different positions respectively to effect loading and unloading of the compressor, latch means for holding it in one of said positions, means deriving its actuating force from a source independent of the compressor discharge pressure for moving said pilot valve to said last mentioned position, and means controlled by compressor discharge pressure for controllmg said latch means.

24. In a compressor controlling mechanism, an intake controlling valve, a pilot valve operative in different positions respectively to efiect loading and unloading of a compressor by opening and closing said intake controlling valve and subjected on one end to receiver pressure tending to move it towards one of said positions, latch means for holding it in one of said positions, receiver pressure controlled means for releasing said latch, and means for varying the pressure at which said latch is released.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

WADE H. WVINEMAN. 

